Kandy to Nuwara Eliya to Ella: An Unforgettable 1-day Trip

Introduction

Hey everyone! In this article, we’re sharing our road trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, a stunning journey through Sri Lanka’s hill country that became one of our favorite parts of the trip.

Our adventure in Sri Lanka was moving south, and we had reached one of the most iconic legs of the journey—traveling from Kandy to Ella. While many take the full train ride, we chose a more flexible option: a road trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, followed by the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella.

This turned out to be the perfect combo. Along the way, we stopped at some incredible places like Ambuluwawa Tower, the Poonaella viewpoint, and the Labookellie Tea Factory—experiences we would have missed if we took the train all the way. And we still got to enjoy the most scenic stretch of the train journey to Ella!

We decided to spend a night in Nuwara Eliya, but it’s also totally doable to complete the trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by road in the morning, and then continue by train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella in the afternoon. In fact, if you’re short on time, that’s what we’d recommend.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this Kandy to Nuwara Eliya road trip, with tips, stops, and variations to help you plan the route that fits you best. So if you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka and wondering how to get to Nuwara Eliya from Kandy, let’s dive in!

Read: The perfect 2-Week Sri Lanka Itinerary

How to Organise a Trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

Organising a road trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is quite easy and can be done in a few different ways depending on your travel style and budget.

We arranged our private transfer from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya directly through our accommodation in Kandy, which turned out to be super convenient. The guesthouse handled everything for us, including pickup time and stops along the way like Ambuluwawa Tower, Poonaella viewpoint, and the Labookellie Tea Factory. If you prefer something flexible and stress-free, this is definitely a great option.

If you’d rather plan in advance or prefer to have everything set before your trip, you can also book a transfer or guided tour online, with platforms like GetYourGuide offering day trips or private transfers from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. These often include similar scenic stops and the option to customise your itinerary.

Whether you’re planning to stay overnight in Nuwara Eliya from Kandy, or continue straight to Ella by train in the afternoon, this road trip is easy to arrange and one of the most beautiful travel days in Sri Lanka.

Check our Google Map of Sri Lanka

Where to Stay

Your starting point is Kandy, so a good night’s rest here is essential before beginning your trip through the hill country. Whether you’re traveling on a budget or looking for something more luxurious, here are our favorite places to stay:

• ($):  Remli Villa
• ($$): The Summit
• ($$$): Aarunya Nature Resort & Spa

If you decide to spend the night in Nuwara Eliya, here are our recommended stays in this cool-climate colonial town surrounded by tea plantations:

• ($):  Heidis Home
• ($$): La Grande Villa
• ($$$): W15 Lake Gregory

Or, if you prefer to head straight to Ella, which we actually recommend doing if you’re short on time, you can hop on the afternoon train from Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya Station) after your road trip. Once in Ella, here are the best places to stay:

• ($):  Lavendra Paradise
• ($$): CHILL VILLE, VIEW POINT HOTEL
• ($$$): Tea Cabins

Here are all your accommodation options in Nuwara Eliya

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

Introduction

You’ll likely wake up to a peaceful morning in Kandy, and if your accommodation has a rooftop, start your day with a bit of yoga or stretching followed by a relaxing breakfast with a view. You might even meet fellow travelers—like we did, chatting with a Swiss couple road-tripping across Sri Lanka in a tuk-tuk.

Once you’re ready, it’s time to hit the road toward Nuwara Eliya. If you’re staying in a guesthouse or homestay, ask your host about arranging a private transfer—they might even offer to drive you themselves. That’s what happened to us, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions. Our driver, Heshan, was not only friendly and reliable, but also spoke excellent English and shared so many insights about local life along the way. It felt more like a road trip with a local friend than just a transfer.

Your first stop on the Kandy to Nuwara Eliya journey will likely be Ambuluwawa Mountain Hill, located just outside of Kandy. Park at the main entrance, and from there, take a tuk-tuk up the winding road to the tower—a fun start to a scenic day through Sri Lanka’s lush hill country.

Here are all your accommodation options in Kandy

Ambuluwawa Mountain Hill

The Ambuluwawa Mountain Hill is the first stop on the journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. It is a unique modern construction perched on a forested hilltop just outside Kandy, and it offers one of the best panoramic views in the region.

What makes this stop truly special isn’t just the view—it’s the climb itself. As you make your way up the narrow, winding staircase that wraps around the outside of the tower, the path becomes tighter and steeper the higher you go. It’s a little thrilling, especially if you’re not a fan of heights, but the 360° views at the top are absolutely worth it.

On a clear day, you’ll see rolling hills, villages, and endless greenery stretching far into the distance. It’s fun, scenic, and a must-do on your Kandy to Nuwara Eliya road trip.

Tip: We use the DJI Action 4 to film our vlogs — compact, durable, and perfect for capturing every adventure.

Viewpoints and waterfalls

The drive from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is nothing short of spectacular. The road winds through lush green hills blanketed in tea plantations, with stunning views at nearly every turn. It’s the kind of journey where you’ll want to keep your camera close—because the scenery just keeps getting better.

One of the highlights along the way was the Poonaella Viewpoint. We stopped at a small local shop, climbed up to the rooftop terrace, and were greeted with a breathtaking view over the valley. From there, we could even spot two distant waterfalls pouring through the forested hills. It was quiet, peaceful, and completely off the typical tourist radar—a perfect hidden gem.

While on the road, we also sorted out a practical (but important) part of the journey—our train tickets from Nuwara Eliya to Ella. We hadn’t booked in advance, so we asked Heshan if he could help. Last minute, he contacted a local travel agent and managed to get us 3rd class tickets for the next afternoon, with delivery straight to our hotel in Nuwara Eliya. It was a bit more expensive than booking at the station, but honestly, we were just happy to have secured seats on one of the most scenic train rides in the world.

Tip: Be sure to secure your train tickets to Ella online.

Tea factory

Before reaching Nuwara Eliya, we made one last stop at the Labookellie Tea Factory, part of the well-known Damro Tea group. Nestled among endless hills of neatly lined tea bushes, this stop gives you a firsthand look at one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic exports: Ceylon tea.

Upon arrival, we were welcomed with a complimentary cup of freshly brewed tea, which was the perfect way to warm up in the cooler highland air. The factory tour itself was short but informative, offering a glimpse into the tea-making process—from picking the leaves to withering, rolling, fermenting, and drying.

Damro owns over 5,000 hectares of tea plantations across all major tea-growing regions in Sri Lanka. They produce a variety of teas, including Orthodox, Rotorvane, CTC, and Green tea, to meet both local and international demand.

While it’s a fairly commercial stop, it’s still worth visiting—especially if you want to learn more about the country’s tea heritage and enjoy a relaxing break with a view of the plantations before continuing on to Nuwara Eliya.

Tea Plantation

Just a few kilometers after leaving the tea factory, we made an unexpected stop by the side of the road—and it turned out to be one of the most peaceful moments of the day. We got out to walk a little through the tea plantations, soaking in the crisp air and taking in the endless waves of green that stretched across the hills. No tourists, no noise—just a quiet moment surrounded by nature.

After that refreshing pause, we continued our drive and finally arrived at our accommodation in Nuwara Eliya. As we checked in, our train tickets to Ella were waiting for us at reception, just as promised by Heshan and the travel agency he had contacted earlier. Everything had gone smoothly, and we were all set for the next day’s journey on one of the most scenic train rides in the world.

Check our Google Map of Sri Lanka

Train to Ella

Even though we chose to spend the night in Nuwara Eliya after our trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, we have to admit—we didn’t find it especially worth it. The town itself felt a bit underwhelming, especially compared to the charm and energy of Ella.

If we were to do it again, we’d definitely recommend taking the train to Ella from Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya Station) right after your road trip. That way, you still get to enjoy the scenic drive from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya with all the beautiful stops along the way, and then hop straight onto one of the most iconic train rides in the world.

This option not only gives you the best of both journeys—it also saves you a night, which you can spend in Ella or another destination in Sri Lanka that feels more rewarding.

And, we would recommend getting your train ticket online in advance. 

Read: The perfect 2-Week Sri Lanka Itinerary